Meralco is now assessing its import situation after losing to Phoenix Super LPG in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Wednesday.
Head coach Norman Black said that he’s already discussing the matter with team manager Paolo Trillo. Johnny O’Bryant III was almost a non-factor in the Bolts’ 89-82 defeat since he only scored seven points in 46 minutes.
He did tally 16 rebounds and nine assists, but his paltry scoring – plus six turnovers – definitely left a lot to be desired for the champion mentor.
“We’ve actually already been talking about it. Obviously, you don’t want your import scoring seven points. Gives you almost no chance of winning,” said the all-time great moments after the match at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The former NBA cager was once touted by the Grand Slam-winning bench tactician as a ‘home run’ of an acquisition a month before the mid-season conference. Unfortunately, though, he has yet to string together wins for the ball club.
Meralco has won just once in the five games it has played thus far. But a huge reason behind its woes was the absence of Chris Newsome and, just recently, Chris Banchero as the star guards remain sidelined due to injuries.
The Fuel Masters match was actually the second game in a row that the Bolts missed the services of both their backcourt leaders.
O’Bryant has actually been doing his part to hold the fort for a team dealing with personnel woes. Prior to his PBA career-low, the 6-foot-9 forward was averaging 29.8 points and 16.0 rebounds, together with 4.0 assists.
Still, Black would want to see more from him, especially now while they are still waiting for Newsome and Banchero to return to action.
“It doesn’t help that we’re still missing some key players so I was hoping that his performance will go up during this stretch while we are waiting for guys to return from injury,” said the 64-year-old, twice a Best Import during his heydays.
“But, he’s having a problem shooting the ball from the perimeter, which I think is really one of his strengths. But he hasn’t shot the ball well.”
It remains to be seen how Meralco deals with the situation but Black, for now, has his sights set on their meeting with Rain or Shine this Saturday.
And part of his plans is to sit down with O’Bryant, first and foremost. “We got a game on Saturday, so I’m not sure how much we can do between now and then. But certainly, I have to sit down with Johnny,” he said.
“And, make him understand that he’s gotta raise the level of his performance because he’s an import, and a lot more is expected from him.”
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